The Delta State government said it stopped the payment of salaries of 120 health workers suspected to have relocated from the country while still receiving wages from the state government under the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojeame made the disclosure in Asaba when he played host to representatives of Ijomi and Edjemouyan communities hosting the Teaching Hospital.
According to Dr. Onojeame, the discovery was made when the present administration undertook an audit of the hospital’s work force, adding that after it was discovered that the government was still paying salaries of about 120 health workers who have exited the system it immediately put a halt to it.
He said, “Other very critical measure that we took to ensure the hospital progressed was the clearing of the over the years outstanding power bill to the tune of N100m the hospital owed the Benin Electricity Development Company and the plan to increase the hospital’s monthly subvention.”
On the challenge of medical devices available in the Institution, the Commissioner said that His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori approved the procurement of a CT scan machine for the State Teaching Hospital at the last Executive Council meeting which is capital intensive.
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He commended the communities for being a good host to by providing a conducive environment for the institution to thrive.
Commissioner assured that the host communities that there concerns such as adhering to the employment quota of non-clinical workers as contained in the MoU signed between them and the management of the hospital, the need for them to be carried along among others, would be looked into with the view to addressing them.
Speaking earlier, the Councilor, Ward 12, Oghara, Hon. Eki Benson who spoke on behalf of the host communities, commended the Commissioner for Health for the good work he is doing to ensure the teaching hospital takes its rightful place as it concerns healthcare delivery.
He assured the State government that as a friendly community they will continue to ensure a cordial relationship exists with the hospital and requested they be carried along in order for them to be on the same page on issues that bother on the progress of the hospital.
Hon. Benson added that the Teaching hospital has experienced tremendous changes since the new management took over six months ago and warned the old management not to interfere with the operation of the hospital.
